Athletes under pressure as governing body tightens its selection criteria

UK Athletics has toughened its selection criteria for this summer's World Championships in Moscow.

The governing body has implemented a first-past-the-post system, with only the winner at the trials guaranteed a place on the Great Britain team, provided they hold a valid UKA 'A' standard for the event.

In previous years, like for the Olympics last year, the first two home at the trials have been automatically selected, as long as they have had the required qualifying marks.

Safe: Mo Farah will be automatically pre-selected

After the guaranteed places, athletes will be selected only at UKA's discretion.

The UKA policy states the aim of its programme through to the 2017 World Championships in London is to win medals, so it will only select athletes who have a realistic chance of being finalists or are potential future finalists holding an 'A' or 'B' standard, who have not competed in an individual event at an Olympics or World Championships.

UKA Olympic head coach Peter Eriksson said: 'This policy outlines clearly what is expected of the athletes in the approach to the World Championships, and most importantly empowers the selectors to make informed decisions on the form and fitness being demonstrated.

Pre-selected: Reigning World Champion Dai Green doesn't have to worry about his spot

'We have maintained the level of our qualification standards, and whilst an athlete may only require a single 'A' standard, the added requirement of winning trials and performing when it really matters in order to receive automatic selection will ensure the athletes can truly be regarded as realistic finalists.

'We will also consider athletes qualifying with a 'B' standard provided they have not previously been selected for a global championships on that standard.

'There is value of course for a developing athlete to attend if they are seen as a potential future finalist, and the aim is that they should take this experience and improve.'

Reigning world champions Mo Farah and Dai Greene and 2012 Diamond League winner Robbie Grabarz will be automatically pre-selected subject to form and fitness.

The World Trials will take place on July 12, 13 and 14 in Birmingham and the World Championships from August 10 to 18.